Very interactive and interesting exhibits…read more FREE admission will get you into 90% of the actual museum. Variety of exhibits so it has a little something for everybody. The first floor was the Dive In! Aquarium. It had a very nice anemone tank and a variety of other tanks that had sea life. The second floor is the Bug space, and the beginning of the Natural History space. Both are very interactive and have plenty of kid friendly space. The Return of the Gods exhibit (which costs 8 GBP to visit) was on the third floor, but you could also see what I thought was the most interesting part of the museum which was the World Culture exhibit. The exhibits themselves are nice, but this museum has a novel approach to explaining how Liverpool got its items. Comedian Daliso Chaponda was narrating the process of how the museum procured the majority of its items through good ole colonization (kidding, not kidding). He brings to light the appropriation process through comedic discussion, novel and palatable. The 3rd floor also has the Egyptian Exhibit, which is very good. It's probably the jewel of the museum. The history of the pieces are well explained, and the mummies are displayed wonderfully, some in layers, some in narrative, and plenty of interactivity for the little ones. I didn't spend much time on the fourth floor (Dinosaurs) or fifth floor (Planetarium/Space). The fifth floor wasn't as impressive, but gave those genre's some space for those that are interested. It was the meh portions of the museum. If you have a few hours to burn, consider this museum a good choice for kids of all ages and interests.

Visited the museum especially to see the current special exhibition on the Chinese terracotta army…read morewhich was well worth the cost of the tickets. The building contains a large cafe on the ground floor that was well stocked with good quality food and deserts, this area also has access to free Wi-Fi. The next floor has the Aquarium and treasure house theater. The 2nd (3rd in US) floor has the special exhibition and the Bug House. Next floor contains World Cultures, Ancient Egypt and Western Discovery Center (only open weekends & school holidays. 4th floor holds Dinosaurs, Endangered Planet and Clore Natural History Center. Finally the 5th floor holds exhibits on Space and Time along with a Planetarium - tickets needed from the information desk on the ground floor. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful and could not be more accommodating, well worth the visit. I should also add the this museum is free except for the special exhibit which needs tickets purchased either online or at the entrance with limited time slots available each day.

Ah, the Atkinson. Again, just another Southport landmark full of childhood memories for myself…read more Yep, my father used to bring me here regularly to ensure I had a lovely cultural upbringing, and it's a marvellous gallery housed in a terrific building right in the centre of the seaside town itself, opposite Lord Street and the band stand. Admission is free but donations are encouraged as every gift helps, no matter how small. And once you've walked around this spectacular yet strangely humble gallery you'd have to have a heart of ice not to want to give a little something. It has a varied and rather extensive collection, ranging from LS Lowry to John Piper, John Collier to Ernest Normand and many more. The Friends of the Atkinson Gallery are an organisation which helps to drum up even more interest for the gallery. It's currently closed for refurbishments but plans to reopen bigger and better than ever as part of a Southport cultural overhaul, so get involved as it's bound to increase in popularity after its makeover. Southport might not quite rival Brighton yet in the seaside artsy stakes, but it's getting there, and with the help of the Atkinson it'll get there a lot faster!

This is now an entertainment/cultural centre, with the art gallery, an auditorium, civic hall and…read morebotanic museum all within the grade 2 listed building. The entrance/foyer is welcoming and strikingly clean - statuary and paintings being the first things I saw. The bookings and information desks are unobtrusive, yet easy to find as the signage throughout is very clear. There are interesting display cases throughout. Up the impressive staircase are the toilets, the superb but expensive bar and the entrances to the auditorium. As I was there for a music concert, this is the area I saw best. A superb setting for Fairport Convention as they attract a fair number of fans, yet like to connect with their audience as intimately as possible. The seating was comfortable and gave us all a good view of the band. The sound was just superb.

Definitely one for my dad this one. It is interesting don't get me wrong but I am not quite at the…read morestage where I appreciated it as much as I should, if you know what I mean. I would love to see the people at NW Museum of Road and Transport drive all the vehicles that they house in a long line, a bit like a parade of them. I love the old buses, they are so much better than what we have now. The people who volunteer to help out at the museum are really very dedicated and motivated. If you are in the area it is definitely worth a visit and next time my dad is around I will take him.

Interesting museum showing history of Leyland trucks and commercial vehicles.read more

Excelent museum run by enthusiasts and retired truckers with stories galore. There is a good…read morearchive and many exhibits from the earliest days to modern commercial vehicles. Well worth a visit. Parking is free outside, and there are many cafes, supermkts,shops etc. in Leyland town centre next to it.

Hooray for nutters! What state of tedium would the world be in if we didn't have the outer fringes…read moreof the lunacy spectrum brightening the place up with their unique brand of madness? Joseph Williamson was such a man. A 19th-century businessmen, he employed scores of craftsmen and, at great cost to his own fortune, put them to work carving out a vast subterranean system of tunnels, for no real reason. When I visited, the tour guide put great emphasis on the theory that the construction work was solely philanthropic, keeping men employed on a project for the sake of it. However, if that's true, why tunnels? Why not build hospitals or something? I actually prefer the idea that Williamson was just round the bend. As I said, it makes the world seem more extraordinary. Two things disappointed me about the tour. Firstly, there was no Minotaur. Secondly, you are only taken around a small portion of it. I got all excited when the guide showed us a map of the possible extent of the labyrinthine tunnel system (I say 'possible' because the true size has never been determined). My intrigue was kicked asunder when he pointed out where we'd actually be venturing, little more than a short horseshoe-shape, a fraction of the mighty potential. This is quibbling though. The tunnels are everything you want from a day out- fascinating, funny, inspiring and just a little bit eerie. It's not hard to see how Joseph's nickname altered after his death from the 'King of Edge Hill' to the less awesome but more truthful 'Mole of Edge Hill'. Still, a man who hired strangers to scoop out his own private burrow from beneath his house? You can't help but want to honour such a magnificent bastard.

Under Liverpool's Edge Hill is a mysterious underground kingdom of winding tunnels built in the…read more1820's and 1830's. This 40 minute guided tour takes you through a reopened section of this unique labyrinth of tunnels where you can learn about Williamson's motives for their construction and the lives of hundreds of workers employed by one of Liverpool's most eccentric characters. Moreover, the attraction is ever changing, due to its ongoing excavation of the tunnel network. They have a website where they detail some special events during Halloween and Christmas too which I would recommend to anyone, especially younger people. Opening times do vary throughout the year and ticket prices only cost £4 for an adult and £2.50 for a child.

Highly ornate old building. If you have the chance to listen to a concert in here, it's worth it!read more

St. George's hall is the finest example of neo-classical architecture in the country. Visiting the…read moreheritage centre on St. Johns Lane brings the story of St. George's Hall alive with access to cells, crown court and a viewing gallery enabling visitors to experience the magnificent great hall. Throughout the year, there is a range of exhibitions, talks, markets, performances and events taking place. Full details can be found on their website. The stunning Victorian architecture of the great hall and the great organ are a must see. Entrance to this site is free for all and I would recommend visiting.

This museum is 1/2 of the slavery museum. For both, took…read moreus all day. All the types of ships involved in two wars.

I visited the maritime museum next and I was mostly interested in the titanic exhibition and…read morelearned about the Derbyshire ship still lost at sea. The titanic exhibition was fantastic, so fascinating and informative and mostly sad. I loved the full scale model of the titanic which I couldn't even fit all in a photo, I loved reading the profiles of passengers who were either lost or saved and the film feature of the tragedy and audio sound effects, I think just this exhibition alone makes the whole museum worth visiting.

A fascinating perspective on the contributions by the people of the Manchester area to major…read moreinnovations in science and industry throughout history. Numerous displays and examples of equipment and machinery large and small. Steam engines to electron microscopes on display, with emphasis on Manchester's relationship with the cotton industry, both good and bad. Something for everyone here, young and old. Free to enter, donations appreciated. Reservations will make sure that you don't need to wait for entry. A must-see if you are in the area.

Fantastic place for families with children! Adults can enjoy the many exhibits while young ones can…read moreenjoy the hands on displays. We liked watching the textile demonstration in the Textile area. This place has so much to see and do. And it's free! Contributions are gladly accepted to keep this fabulous museum operational.

This was excellent and a lot of new war facts. Russia and…read moreEngland joined hands to fight Germany? Yes. German battle pilots had detail maps of Liverpool? Streets and reference buildings. Yes. The 30 foot war room wall showed all the battle areas on the seas on two walls. Churchill was here often enough To bathe here. Claw foot. Tub. Still here. The back up generator for the building was from a scuttled German u boat. Reuse every thing. The merchant navy ships were as active as the British Navy ships,& acted as decoys and sunk u boats with hidden deck guns under tarps till Sub was in range. Originally, U boat would surface, challenge. After a few decoy events, they torpedoed first, at night and in packs. AKA Wolfpacks of 3-6. They would Actually chase a convoy during daylight, come up at night. Fire on the surface. The answer to that was the Liberator airplane with field lights a torpedos. They took the subs at night and found the German Battleship Bismarck on a training flight. Bye bye Battleship. Millions died in WW2. There is a little store. We got British Cloth napkins showing British Enlisted Sailors. I and my father were both USN enlisted. Lots to see here. Military discount and we stayed over two hours. Easy to find. Flags out front. Come on down!

I'll admit now I had no idea this place existed. Formerly the headquarters for the Western…read moreApproaches Command, a supreme Royal Navy authority responsible for keeping Atlantic shipping safe during World War II, the building is now open to the public and displays the subdued manliness of 1940s Britain with withering expertise. These people had no time for Facebook and iPlayer. They were too busy saving the world, by golly A complex underground bunker decorated with all the original wartime furniture and machinery, the building looks unnervingly like its hundreds of employees have simply got up and left. I kept forgetting it was a museum. The atmosphere is striking. One highlight was the Operations Room, with its models of WRNs pushing models of ships round a big map of the Atlantic. A hidden tape player fills the room with sound effects of what it would have sounded like- all chattering teleprinters and barking admirals. Other points of interest include the 'hotline' telephone booth that was connected directly to the War Cabinet and the Cypher Room, where decoded messages were received from Bletchley Park. Both of these things were protected by armed guards. I loved this place, not least because I was the only visitor there. Being on my own meant I could do what most other museums will slap you for trying. I attempted to lift a huge unexploded bomb (I couldn't) and almost wound one of those howling air raid siren things before I realised the woman on the front desk might get annoyed. Towards the end of the museum there was a table piled high with helmets, caps and gas masks that you were allowed to try on. I say 'you' when I actually mean 'children' but that means nothing because I still did anyway. I wouldn't have lasted five minutes in a war.